The Crystal Coast A to Z

Just because summer is ending, doesn’t mean that vacation time is over! We want to give you 26 reasons, 26 reminders, 26 of our best ideas about why the Crystal Coast should be in your sights!

The Best of the Crystal Coast A to Z

A-Arts: The beach has always been an inspirational place for artists and art lovers alike. Enjoy local galleries, music, and theater. Inspiration for all! Two of our favorite galleries are BluSail Gallery in downtown Morehead City which features handcrafted pottery, and Craving Art Studio in downtown Beaufort feature gorgeous paintings.

B-Beaches: The pristine beaches along our beautiful coast have people coming back again and again to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. There are so many fun, beautiful beach locations—each one better than the last!

C- Charming: There are many reasons that this area is considered "charming.” From the quaint downtown areas, local businesses, and friendly neighborhood atmospheres, charm pervades the very air you breathe as you visit the Crystal Coast. Southern hospitality is no myth, and neither is its charm!

D-Dining: Fresh seafood brought straight to your plate by local fisherman and served in the most delicious ways imaginable! Stop by any of our favorite local restaurants to try it for yourself!

F-Fishing: Experienced, intermediate, or beginners fishing is fun for all! Fishing is such a huge part of the Crystal Coast area, and there are plenty of ways to experience it for yourself. Especially for fall, there are a tons of great ways to enjoy fishing!

G-Golf: Fore! Enjoy one of our many golf courses in a fun, competitive sort of way! Don’t worry, we have mini golf for the kids too…and the kids at heart!

H-History: Rich local history pervades the atmosphere throughout the Crystal Coast. Stories of pirates, ghosts, and many local legends add to the charm, and who knows? The kids may learn something too!

I-Islands:Island hopping is an excellent way to get the real feel of the beautiful beaches and natural environment of our coast. Observe the ponies on Shackleford Banks, visit a lighthouse, or hike through the Rachel Carson Reserve on Carrot Island—all these and so many more adventures await on the islands of the Crystal Coast.

J-Jewels: There’s a reason that jewels are so often mentioned—Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle—all these names just reflect the pristine environment, and beautiful scenery of our lovely area. And why not take some lovely jewels with you to remember your trip?! Hand crafted jewelry is never hard to find on the Crystal Coast. Many times, they are made with inspiration from our beautiful beach! The perfect memento!

K-Kayaks: Get into nature, and take a journey along the beautiful Crystal Coast, in a very unique way! Kayaking is a wonderful way to enjoy nature in an up-close and personal way that will not soon be forgotten!

L-Locals: You’ll always be warmly welcomed by our wonderful locals. Hardworking, genuine, saltwater in our blood, we love it here, and we know you will too!

M-Museums: There are plenty of family friendly museums that are sure to entertain and educate. The Maritime Museum, Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center, and more!

P-Play: The beach can certainly bring out the child in all of us. Your trip to the beach is the perfect time to play and have fun with the family. These are sure to be memories that will last forever!

Q-Quality Time: Any time spent on the Crystal Coast is quality time. Your time with your family is sure to be remarkable! There are so many ways to make your vacation memorable and we want you to spend as much time with your family as possible without having to worry about details. Make this time quality time with your family.

R-Relaxation: Work got you down? Take this time at the beach to relax, enjoy the easy pace, and refreshing shores. You deserve it!

S-Surfing: For those of you coordinated adventurers, surfing couldn’t be more fun. For those of us not so much….well, surfing is still a super fun thing to try and even more so to just watch. And for all those willing to try, there’s always plenty of locals who are ready to help with surfing lessons. It wouldn’t be sun and surf without the surfing, now would it?

T-Tours: There are plenty of tours around our coast to allow you to see as much as possible… without any chance of getting lost. For those of you with no sense of direction, like myself—these are sure to take all stress out of your trip!

U-Underwater Adventures:Diving, snorkeling, or just a trip to the Aquarium—all of these are fun ways to explore the Big Blue.

V-Vacation: What are you waiting for? Summer? There’s no need! Vacations are for any time of the year. Wondering about how to get started? No worries, we can help you get started creating your vacation today!

Y-Yes: The answer is "yes.” Yes to the sun, yes to the sand, yes to the surf, yes to the perfect beach getaway.

Z-Zzzzz: This is self-explanatory. A beach vacation is the perfect way to catch up on some sleep…granted of course the kiddos allow it!

No one really needs any excuse to make a trip to the beach, but hopefully, these reasons give you an incentive to pack your bags and make your trip ASAP! (And I know I won’t have to tell you what those letters stand for!)

There’s always more to explore about local businesses and our favorite activities throughout the year! What are you waiting for?